Daily Front Row

2010 April 30

Bright and Young

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Chanel Iman, Prabal Gurung
BILLY FARRELL / PatrickMcMullan.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) “What a Thursday!” declared Prabal Gurung last night during cocktails at Saks Fifth Avenue, as Saks and the Whitney Museum teamed up to toast top emerging designers. Gurung, who was being honored later in the evening as one of Paper magazine’s favorite beautiful people, was celebrated for his body of work, as well. Hosts including Devon Aoki, Chanel Iman and Margherita Missoni fêted the work of bright young designers Gurung, Doo Ri Chung, Erdem Moralioglu, Christian Cota, Roberto Rimondi and Tommaso Aquilano.

Revelers sipped champagne and indulged in mini crab cakes and proscuitto wrapped asparagus while perusing the bevy of frocks created exclusively for Saks Fifth Avenue---with 10% of each sale benefitting the Whitney. “So many shiny things!” remarked one shopper. Gurung, a fervent supporter of all things art, noted, “I do love new, contemporary artists, but a huge influence on me growing up was Salvador Dali. He was able to take things and twist them in such a way, and just really let himself go, which I admire.” Missoni seconded Gurung’s emotion. “I seriously get inspired by everything that I see, and so of course I love going to museums. The more we see, the more we are stimulated, and the better things we make.”

Chung confessed that she was happy to take a break from making things just for the moment. “Fashion Week is really far away, so I’m feeling good. Right now I’m enjoying the pedestrian walkways, taking long strolls on the Westside Highway.” Partygoers swayed to the music of violinist Caitlin Moe and Missoni soaked in her good fortune. “I actually just got into New York yesterday,” she explained. “I was in London for two days, and it was so sunny and so…un-London! And it’s bright and beautiful here today. I guess I brought the sun with me! Hopefully it will continue to follow me around.”
EMILY POPP